The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on CSDR’s athletics programs. The school serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students throughout Southern California, some of whom reside in the campus cottages during the week. There were no in-person classes or athletic events at CSDR during the 2020-21 school year, so the football program’s progress was suddenly halted.

“We were making some good strides forward, and then everything shut down,” Keith Adams said. “It was tough trying to come back and rediscover that after a year of not practicing or playing.”

The 2021 season marked the first of two seasons Keith had the opportunity to coach both of his sons. It’s also the year CSDR started to attract attention across the country.

The Cubs won their first 12 games that season and reached the championship game of the Southern Section’s 8-person Division 1 playoffs. That was a humbling experience, as the Cubs dropped a 74-22 decision to Faith Baptist. However, the game also served as a learning experience for Keith Adams and his players. The Cubs returned the following year and defeated Faith Baptist 80-26 in the 8-person Division 1 final to complete an undefeated season. CSDR beat Faith Baptist again last season to bring home the 8-person Division 2 crown.

“Being able to play in four straight championship games shows how far we have come as a program and who we are today,” said Kaden Adams, who plays quarterback and linebacker for the Cubs. “The school and the deaf community is more recognized now, and some of that is because of what we have done. ... The culture changes every day, and it’s a great feeling to have been part of that.”

Keith Adams also has seen many positive changes over these past four years, and not just from within the program or the deaf community.

“In the past, we would get mocked and laughed at,” he said. “When teams played CSDR, they felt it was given that they were going to beat us. And then things started to flourish. We shook the nation, even the world for that matter. I think more people have respect for us. It’s been an honor to help put CSDR on the map. We have had an impact on many lives, and it’s been great to see that happen.”

Keith Adams has had to tread some careful waters during the years he has coached his two sons.

“When Trevin was a freshman, there were some players who felt he was getting special treatment because he was my son,” Keith Adams said. “We have always tried to set boundaries between coach and player and father and son, and eventually everyone started to see that. I try to treat every player the same, and playing time is earned whether or not you’re my son.”

Kaden Adams has relished the opportunity to be coached by his father and to have been able to play two seasons with his older brother.

“It has been a great experience for me and my family,” Kaden said. “There have been some wonderful moments together, and those are memories that are going to last a lifetime.”

Keith Adams is stepping down after this season to support his daughter, Bellina, who is hearing and will be a freshman student and volleyball player at King beginning in the fall of 2025.

Trevin Adams is currently attending and playing football at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and Kaden will be joining his brother there next fall.

“I have been a coach the past 27 years, so it’s going to feel weird not doing that for the first time in a long while,” Adams said. “It’s time to refocus myself and to be the supportive father for my daughter, and I’ll also be traveling a lot to see Trevin and Kaden. ... But who knows? Maybe four or five years from now, I’ll make another comeback.”

Kaden knows emotions will be running at a high level Friday night.

“It’s going to be my last day playing high school football and the final game with my father coaching me,” he said. “I would like this feeling to continue forever, but my time is up.”